Psalms

Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

1God is good to the person who thinks about the poor and helps them. When trouble comes, the LORD will rescue that person.

2The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.

2The LORD will protect him and keep him alive. He will be blessed here on earth. You will not hand him over to his enemies to do as they please.

3The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.

3The LORD will hold him up when he is weak and lying in bed. When he is sick, you will care for him and make him well.

Note"The bed of languishing" means a sickbed, where someone lies weak and worn out.

4I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.

4I said, "LORD, be kind to me. Heal me, because I have sinned against you."

5Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?

5My enemies say cruel things about me. They ask, "When will he die and be forgotten?"

6And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.

6When one of them comes to visit me, he says things he does not mean. Inside, he collects gossip. Then he goes out and spreads it.

Note"He speaketh vanity" does not mean he is proud. It means his words are empty and false.

7All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.

7Everyone who hates me whispers about me together. They plan how to hurt me.

8An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.

8They say, "Some terrible sickness has taken hold of him. He is down now, and he will never get up again."

9Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

9Even my close friend, the one I trusted, the one who ate at my table, has turned against me.

Note"Lifted up his heel against me" is a picture of betrayal, like someone kicking a person who trusted him.

10But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.

10But you, LORD, be kind to me. Lift me up again, so I can pay them back.

11By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.

11Here is how I know you are pleased with me: my enemy has not beaten me.

12And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.

12As for me, you hold me up because I have done nothing wrong. You keep me in your presence forever.

13Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

13Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, from forever in the past to forever ahead. Amen and Amen.